Data & definitions

Gestational Surrogacy: Surrogate carries embryo with no genetic connection to child.

Start with a consultation

clarify goals and constraints. 2.

Confirm requirements

legal, medical, and logistical. 3.

Plan the next steps

timelines, documentation, and decision points. ## What can vary (and why) - Clinic schedules and medical protocols (individualized to the situation). - State and international legal requirements (especially for parentage workflows). - Matching preferences and availability (fit matters). - Insurance and financial structure (coverage details can change). - Logistics like travel, time zones, and appointment availability. ## Questions to ask (so you don’t get surprised later) - What are the next 2–3 steps in my specific situation? - What documents or records should I prepare before we start? - Which decisions should I make now vs later? - Which attorney(s) should review or draft the agreement? - What are the required legal steps in our state(s)? - How will decisions and dispute resolution be documented? ## Next steps - [Resource Center](/resources/) - [Editorial & review policy](/about/editorial-policy/) - [Fact Sheet](/about/facts/) - [Contact our care team](/contact/) ## Important note This page is educational information only and is not medical, legal, or tax advice. Always confirm specifics with qualified professionals and your care team. See the sources section below for reference links when available. <!-- pc:expanded-resource:v1 --> ## What to prepare (so the next step is faster) - A list of your goals, constraints, and timeline preferences. - Any relevant medical records (or questions about which records matter). - A budget range and what you want included in an estimate. - A shortlist of questions you want answered before committing. - A plan for how you’ll track appointments and documents. ## Common mistakes to avoid - Relying on assumptions instead of getting the “who pays/does what” in writing. - Comparing costs or success rates without confirming the exact definition being used. - Skipping a professional review when the decision has legal, medical, or tax consequences. - Waiting too long to clarify timelines, documentation needs, and scheduling constraints. - Signing agreements before both sides understand decision-making, reimbursements, and dispute resolution. ## When to get professional help If your situation involves cross-state or international elements, complex medical history, insurance uncertainty, or legal/tax questions, get qualified professional guidance early. It’s almost always cheaper (and less stressful) to prevent surprises than to fix them mid-journey. <!-- pc:expanded-resource-topup:v1 -->

AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone): Blood test measuring ovarian reserve and egg quantity potential.

AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone)

Blood test measuring ovarian reserve and egg quantity potential.

AFC (Antral Follicle Count)

Ultrasound measurement of small follicles indicating ovarian reserve.

Blastocyst

5-6 day embryo development stage with higher implantation potential.

Cryopreservation

Freezing process for eggs, sperm, or embryos using vitrification technology.

ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection)

Procedure injecting single sperm directly into egg.

OHSS (Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome)

Potential complication from fertility medications causing ovarian swelling.

PGT-A (Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy)

Embryo genetic screening for chromosome abnormalities.

Vitrification

Ultra-rapid freezing technique with 95%+ survival rates. ## Typical workflow (high level) 1.

Start with a consultation

clarify goals and constraints. 2.

Confirm requirements

legal, medical, and logistical. 3.

Plan the next steps

timelines, documentation, and decision points. ## What can vary (and why) - Clinic schedules and medical protocols (individualized to the situation). - State and international legal requirements (especially for parentage workflows). - Matching preferences and availability (fit matters). - Insurance and financial structure (coverage details can change). - Logistics like travel, time zones, and appointment availability. ## Questions to ask (so you don’t get surprised later) - What are the next 2–3 steps in my specific situation? - What documents or records should I prepare before we start? - Which decisions should I make now vs later? - Who will be my primary point of contact during the journey? - How will we communicate and share updates (email, calls, portal)? - What are the typical milestones from start to finish? ## Next steps - [Resource Center](/resources/) - [Editorial & review policy](/about/editorial-policy/) - [Fact Sheet](/about/facts/) - [Contact our care team](/contact/) ## Important note This page is educational information only and is not medical, legal, or tax advice. Always confirm specifics with qualified professionals and your care team. See the sources section below for reference links when available. <!-- pc:expanded-resource:v1 --> ## What to prepare (so the next step is faster) - A list of your goals, constraints, and timeline preferences. - Any relevant medical records (or questions about which records matter). - A budget range and what you want included in an estimate. - A shortlist of questions you want answered before committing. - A plan for how you’ll track appointments and documents. ## Common mistakes to avoid - Relying on assumptions instead of getting the “who pays/does what” in writing. - Comparing costs or success rates without confirming the exact definition being used. - Skipping a professional review when the decision has legal, medical, or tax consequences. - Waiting too long to clarify timelines, documentation needs, and scheduling constraints. ## When to get professional help If your situation involves cross-state or international elements, complex medical history, insurance uncertainty, or legal/tax questions, get qualified professional guidance early. It’s almost always cheaper (and less stressful) to prevent surprises than to fix them mid-journey. <!-- pc:expanded-resource-topup:v1 -->

Cycle Synchronization: Coordinating donor and recipient menstrual cycles for optimal timing.

Start with a consultation

clarify goals and constraints. 2.

Confirm requirements

legal, medical, and logistical. 3.

Plan the next steps

timelines, documentation, and decision points. ## What can vary (and why) - Clinic schedules and medical protocols (individualized to the situation). - State and international legal requirements (especially for parentage workflows). - Matching preferences and availability (fit matters). - Insurance and financial structure (coverage details can change). - Logistics like travel, time zones, and appointment availability. ## Questions to ask (so you don’t get surprised later) - What are the next 2–3 steps in my specific situation? - What documents or records should I prepare before we start? - Which decisions should I make now vs later? - Who will be my primary point of contact during the journey? - How will we communicate and share updates (email, calls, portal)? - What are the typical milestones from start to finish? ## Next steps - [Resource Center](/resources/) - [Editorial & review policy](/about/editorial-policy/) - [Fact Sheet](/about/facts/) - [Contact our care team](/contact/) ## Important note This page is educational information only and is not medical, legal, or tax advice. Always confirm specifics with qualified professionals and your care team. See the sources section below for reference links when available. <!-- pc:expanded-resource:v1 --> ## What to prepare (so the next step is faster) - A list of your goals, constraints, and timeline preferences. - Any relevant medical records (or questions about which records matter). - A budget range and what you want included in an estimate. - A shortlist of questions you want answered before committing. - A plan for how you’ll track appointments and documents. ## Common mistakes to avoid - Relying on assumptions instead of getting the “who pays/does what” in writing. - Comparing costs or success rates without confirming the exact definition being used. - Skipping a professional review when the decision has legal, medical, or tax consequences. - Waiting too long to clarify timelines, documentation needs, and scheduling constraints. ## When to get professional help If your situation involves cross-state or international elements, complex medical history, insurance uncertainty, or legal/tax questions, get qualified professional guidance early. It’s almost always cheaper (and less stressful) to prevent surprises than to fix them mid-journey. <!-- pc:expanded-resource-topup:v1 -->